More not than just…

THE HENNY’s

Henny. The name stems from Henny Youngman, King of One-Liners like: “I take my wife everywhere, but she keeps finding her way back.” ” If you’re going to do something tonight that you’ll be sorry for tomorrow morning, sleep late.” ” I once wanted to become an atheist, but I gave up because they have no holidays.”

I was first introduced to Henny in about 2005 when I was invited to play in a weekly, Wednesday night poker game in Wellesley, MA. I knew only the one person that invited me. That night I was introduced to a few new games, one of which was Henny–as in a one-liner, five cards in one line as laid out in Hold ‘Em and Omaha. More important to me than the new games played, was the camaraderie of this warm, friendly group of men playing there. Ever since this night, many of these Wednesday night poker players have remained as important parts of my life.

ProcessEach player receives five cards, face down. In the center of the table, five common cards are placed face down–thusly A B C D EGame is played, Hi-Lo, 8 or better. This is a Vegas style (meaning non-declare) game.To achieve best possible hands, players may use any of the following options:1-All five cards in their hand, utilizing none of the common cards.2-Three cards in their hand with any two of the five common cards.3-Two cards in their hand with any three of the five common cards.Players may use one option for best high hand; another option for best low hand.It is possible, as well, to use the same option for the best of both hands.There is a round of betting. Then, cards A B C are turned face up. FLOPThere is a second round of betting. Then, card D is turned face up. TURNThere is a third round of betting. Then, card E is turned face up. RIVERThere is a final round of betting. Hands of remaining players are then revealed.GAME: HennyRANKING: Six ÅÅÅÅÅÅ__________________________________________________________________________

Double Henny. I came up this bastardized version of Henny soon after I joined the Wednesday night Wellesley game. Most nights we have nine players. Henny (aka, Single Henny) works very well with nine players. One night, when we were only eight players, I introduced Double Henny.

Process

Each player receives five cards, face down. In the center of the table, ten common cards are placed face down in two rows of five cards–thusly A B C G I
D E F H JGame is played, Hi-Lo, 8 or better. This is a Vegas style (meaning non-declare) game.To achieve best possible hands, players may use any of the following options:1-All five cards in their hand, utilizing none of the common cards. 2-Three cards in their hand with any two of the five common cards in any one row.3-Two cards in their hand with any three of the five common cards in any one row.Players may use one option for best high hand; another option for best low hand.It is possible, as well, to use the same option for the best of both hands.There is a round of betting. Then, cards A B C and DEF are turned face up. FLOPThere is a second round of betting. Then, cards G and H are turned face up. TURNThere is a third round of betting. Then, cards I and J are turned face up. RIVERThere is a final round of betting. Hands of remaining players are then revealed.GAME: Double HennyRANKING: Six ÅÅÅÅÅÅ

Henny and a Half. The staunchest member of our Wednesday night game came up with the idea for this game, combining the variables of Henny and Double Henny. The beauty of this game is that it, like Henny, per se, can be played with nine players. Henny and a Half is probably the most popular of all the Henny’s.

ProcessEach player receives five cards, face down. In the center of the table, seven common cards are placed face down–thusly A B
G F C
D EGame is played, Hi-Lo, 8 or better. This is a Vegas style (meaning non-declare) game.To achieve best possible hands, players may use any of the following options:1-All five cards in their hand, utilizing none of the board cards. 2-Three cards in their hand with two of the following five cardsA B C F G or D E C F G.3-Two cards in their hand with three of the following five cardsA B C F G or D E C F G.Players may use one option for best high hand; another option for best low hand.It is possible, as well, to use the same option for the best of both hands.There is a round of betting. Then, cards A B C are turned face up. FLOPThere is a second round of betting. Then, cards D E F are turned face up. TURNThere is a third round of betting. Then, card G is turned face up. RIVERThere is a final round of betting. Hands of remaining players are then revealed.GAME: Henny and a HalfRANKING: Seven ÅÅÅÅÅÅÅ